Meenaaz Nathani on How Zalando Allows Its Employees to Thrive
Meenaaz Nathani, our Operations Manager at Zalando Mönchengladbach, has sat down with us to speak about diversity, learning from mistakes and the importance of being hands-on.
Meenaaz, could you tell us about your story at Zalando? What motivated you to join the company?
I started at Zalando in 2014. At that time, I had been working in logistics for about 20 years, having started as an employee at a warehouse. I had had experience in various logistics departments, but the kind of experience that Zalando offered was unique. I saw the vacancy and decided to go for it. Of course, I was nervous but I was so keen on working at Zalando — and I did get an offer! Even though I was the only woman in my team when I started, it felt different from being the only woman on other teams before. At Zalando, you just have a better environment — and this was something that inspired me to apply here in the first place. I tend to see mistakes as opportunities, and I think employees should be encouraged not to give up and try again instead of being shamed for trying and failing. For me, it’s important to keep my team inspired and motivated — ultimately, making mistakes is the only way to learn.
What does working at Zalando feel like for you?
When I started here, l was leading about 60 or 80 people, and now I head up 600 employees in five different departments. Every day is different, every issue you work on is different. You have to stay flexible, fast and make decisions quickly. You might not always succeed, so stand by your mistakes. Look back to learn, and do better in the future. What worked last time no longer works and you have to try anew. In my position as an operations manager, I can give my people the opportunity to do the job on their own, making their own decisions without me micromanaging. Still, being on-site is very important. If I’m on site, I always have an open ear for our employees. These are the people without whom nothing would work. I know how much effort they put into their work. I think the best ideas and the best process changes bubble up from the warehouse employees.
What do you appreciate about your current role?
I’m proud to have a diverse team. Two women in my team are departmental leaders, and we have a lot of senior colleagues who started as warehouse employees. For me, it’s a big pleasure to support and encourage them. I had never worked in a company that makes so much effort to develop its employees. There’s no limit in your career — an employee in a warehouse can grow into a department leader. The most important thing, I think, is to have confidence in yourself and what you are doing. Always be aware of your skills. If you are a woman who is knowledgeable about logistics, know that it’s the same knowledge your male counterpart has. Don’t let anyone convince you that you are not enough.
